Hello and thanks for visiting!
I've always believed that creativity has a way of finding you - and, in my case, it has followed me for a very long time.
I'm Leanne Wildermuth, an artist, photographer, and lifelong lover of all things beautiful, quirky, meaningful, and occasionally covered in cat hair. My creative world never fit neatly into just one category, and honestly, I like it that way. From lifelike custom pet portraits and fine art to nature photography, Lit Petals, and lifestyle portrait sessions for seniors and professionals, my work is ultimately about one thing: seeing something worth remembering and finding a beautiful way to preserve it.
My love of art began when I was a little girl, watching my momma draw a mountain man on horseback from her own imagination, using only ink. I was so inspired, and made sure that art classes were among my curriculum every year in high school. I took commissions back then, as well, drawing album covers as posters for classmates going off to college.
When my eBay sales drastically shifted to commissioned pet portraits, I found myself constantly booked and loving every minute of it.
I paint beloved animals in oil with an almost ridiculous attention to detail because I understand that a pet isn't "just a pet." They are family, companions, comedians, comforters, and sometimes the one who knows exactly when you've had a bad day.
When I create a custom portrait, my goal isn't simply to make a painting that looks like your animal. I want to capture that little spark - the expression, personality, attitude or soulful quality that makes your bet unmistakably yours. My work has been commissioned by clients around the world, and I've had the privilege of turning photographs and memories into artwork that can be treasured for generations.
Photography gives me another way to tell those stories. I love slowing down enough to notice what most people hurry past - the curl of a leaf, the delicate structure of a flower, the personality in someone's eyes, or the fleeting moment when an ordinary scene becomes extraordinary.
I have also spent 11 years volunteering my photography services for the Quad Cities Marathon, photographing runners (I am famous for getting the "jump shot"!), families, celebrations, and all those wonderfully human moments that happen around race weekend. There is something incredibly rewarding about being trusted to document meaningful moments for other people, whether that moment is crossing a finish line, graduating from high school or college, stepping into a professional position or simply discovering the quiet beauty of the natural world.
At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to doing things well, and doing them honestly. I believe people deserve an artist who listens, communicates clearly, respects your investment, and cares about your finished result. I don't believe in rushing a creative project simply to check a box. I believe in attention to detail, learning continually, and giving every client my very best effort.
Whether I'm working with a family, professional, a fellow animal lover, or someone who simply fell in love with a photograph, I want your experience to feel personal, comfortable, and worthy of the trust you've placed in me.
My creative life has taken me down some wonderfully unexpected paths, and I'm excited to see where the next one leads. If you have an idea, a photograph, a pet, a person, place - or even a slightly crazy creative project - I'd love to hear about it. You don't have to know exactly what you want before you contact me. That's part of what I'm here for.
Let's talk, dream a little, and see what we can make together!
